PLEASE permit me to clarify a few points in your item headed 'Society slams demolition plan' whcih referred to a report prepared by the High Wycombe Society.
We do not claim that putting light rail on the former rail link between High Wycombe and Bourne End would 'stamp out congestion', but light rail is proving many times more successful than buses at persuading motorists to switch to public transport. This is happening worldwide, including in this country.
Our researchers here found there is widespread congestion and delay on roads between Wycombe and the Thames Valley because many people do such journeys daily in both directions and have to use a car. There is no realistic public transport.
The embankment on the west side of Gordon Road, referred to in your report, was built by Brunel in 1954.
Fifty years later and it was incorporated into the infrastructure of supporting the adjacent new main line to Marylebone. Hence the county council's proposal to demolish the embankment would require new supporting structures for the main line. This is one reason why the proposed design for the 1.2km of busway is to cost £4.67million.
Our report includes a scheme drawing for a new bridge which will carry both the busway and light rail, prepared by Christopher Wallis.
It will leave the vital embankment undisturbed and be at least a million pounds cheaper than the county council'[s proposal. It would also be better for the buses, the Gordon Road traffic and global warming, as well as making it easy to accomodate a future rail service.
This would be unobtrusive but readily accessed at many points along the route.
Elsa Woodward
Transport group
High Wycombe Society
The Haystacks
High Wycombe
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